In part one of this blog series, I outlined the reality of the waitlist at Ivy League schools. Today I want to share some quick thoughts on acts that can help or hurt your odds of going from waitlist to admit.

Hoping to take some action to support your application? Try these things:

Write a letter to reiterate your excitement about still being in the running, updating your admissions officer on any accomplishments (including grades, honors, awards, leadership roles, etc.) since you submitted your application and confirming your desire to attend if you are ultimately admitted. Send it now, before May 1.

Consider having your guidance counselor place a call to the admissions office on your behalf. He or she may be able to get more details about your status, including whether or not the waitlist offer was simply a courtesy.

Continue to investigate your other options and discuss the reality of accepting an offer of admission in June, July or even August. Decide how late is too late for you.

Elizabeth Heaton is a member of College Coach’s team of college admissions experts. Before coming to College Coach, Beth worked as a senior admissions officer at University of Pennsylvania and an alumni admissions ambassador at Cornell University.

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